Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of ...

Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador

FEDERAL CROWN CONSULTATION APPROACH FOR THE

REGIONAL ASSESSMENT

January 22, 2020

IMPACT ASSESSMENT AG ENCY OF CANADA

OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS EXPLORATORY DRILL IN G EAST OF NEWFOUNDLA ND AND LABRADOR 2

Contents 1. Overall Approach ................................................................................................ 3

1.1. Purpose ...................................................................................................................... 3

1.2. Application .................................................................................................................. 3

1.3. Regional Assessment ................................................................................................. 3

1.4. Objectives of Crown Consultation for this Regional Assessment ................................ 4

2. Roles and Responsibilities ................................................................................. 5

2.1. Regional Assessment Committee ............................................................................... 5

2.2. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada ...................................................................... 6

3. Details of the Approach ...................................................................................... 7

3.1. 3.1 Evolution of the Approach ..................................................................................... 7

3.2. Crown Consultation in Relation to the Committee’s Work ........................................... 7

3.3. Specific Consultation Features ................................................................................... 8

3.4. Indigenous Groups to be Consulted during the Regional Assessment ..................... 10

4. Preliminary Consultation Assessment ............................................................. 11

5. Potential Accommodation Measures ............................................................... 12

6. Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 13

Annex A – Study Area for the Regional Assessment ............................................. 15



1. Overall Approach

1.1. Purpose

This document sets out the approach for federal Crown consultation with Indigenous peoples1 in relation to

the conduct of a Regional Assessment as described in the Agreement to Conduct a Regional Assessment of

Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador entered into by the

Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador (“the Agreement”).

1.2. Application

This approach applies to all aspects of Crown consultation2 in respect of this Regional Assessment, from the

early planning of the Regional Assessment to the submission by the Regional Assessment Committee (“the

Committee”) of its Report to Ministers. As required, this approach also applies to Crown consultation on

contemplated federal decision making directly related to the results of this Regional Assessment.

1.3. Regional Assessment

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador are interested in improving the effectiveness

and efficiency of the impact assessment process as it applies to oil and gas exploration drilling off Eastern

Newfoundland, while at the same time ensuring the highest standards of environmental protection continue

to be applied and maintained. This Regional Assessment will create a framework for evaluating and

managing the effects of future offshore exploration drilling projects in this region that will:

build upon the experience and knowledge gained in assessing previous projects;

enable effective management of environmental effects;

reduce consultation burden on Indigenous communities and stakeholders; and

result in more efficient project reviews for exploration programs.

The Regional Assessment will use best available science and Indigenous knowledge and will include

consideration of the known physical, biological, social and economic characteristics of the Regional

Assessment Study Area (see map at Annex A).

1 For this document, “Indigenous” has the same meaning as “Aboriginal” as per the Constitution Act, 1982. 2 References to Crown consultation throughout this document refer to the potential common law duty to consult

obligations pertaining the Government of Canada (federal Crown).

https://ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/evaluations/document/127987?culture=en-CA

https://ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/evaluations/document/127987?culture=en-CA



1.4. Objectives of Crown Consultation for this Regional Assessment

The approach to Crown consultation for this Regional Assessment has the following objectives:

build awareness and understanding amongst Indigenous peoples of how the federal Crown intends to

meet any potential legal duty to consult that may arise from this Regional Assessment and/or future

contemplated Crown conduct in the Study Area with respect to offshore oil and gas exploratory drilling;

clarify the role of the federal Crown in undertaking consultations with Indigenous peoples in part through

reliance on the participation of Indigenous groups in the Regional Assessment;

delegate procedural aspects of Crown consultation to the Regional Assessment Committee in a manner

consistent with the Agreement and the Regional Assessment Committee’s Terms of Reference; and

fulfill any potential duty to consult by:

actively encouraging the participation of potentially affected Indigenous groups in the conduct of the

Regional Assessment, including as part of the associated Technical Advisory Group;

consulting with Indigenous groups on the Committee’s draft Regional Assessment Report; and

conducting a meaningful and responsive two-way dialogue on issues raised following the conclusion

of Regional Assessment, including the potential application of this Regional Assessment to the

development of Regulations or future decisions pertaining to exploratory drilling projects in the Study

Area.

Crown consultation will be conducted in a manner consistent with the honour of the Crown and at an

appropriate level, taking into account the nature and scope of potential or established Aboriginal and Treaty

rights and potential impacts on those rights arising from future decisions pertaining to exploratory drilling

projects in the Study Area.

The Government of Canada remains committed to the approach outlined in the February 2018 Consultation

Paper on Approach to Revising the Project List3, and reflected again in the May 2019 Discussion Paper on

the Proposed Project List4. The approach proposed in these consultation papers is to exempt offshore

exploratory wells from undergoing a project-specific federal impact assessment in areas where a regional

assessment has been carried out and where the proposed project conforms with the conditions for

exemption as approved by the Minister for that regional assessment.

Crown consultation for this Regional Assessment will remain flexible based on any feedback received from

Indigenous groups. The aim is to ensure the overall approach to Crown consultation takes into account that

the Regional Assessment could serve as a strategic planning tool to inform future decisions pertaining to

offshore exploratory drilling in the Study Area.

3 https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/conservation/assessments/environmental-reviews/environmental-assessment-processes/consultation-paper-approach.html 4 https://www.impactassessmentregulations.ca/8869/documents/15938/download

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/conservation/assessments/environmental-reviews/environmental-assessment-processes/consultation-paper-approach.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/conservation/assessments/environmental-reviews/environmental-assessment-processes/consultation-paper-approach.html

https://www.impactassessmentregulations.ca/8869/documents/15938/download



2. Roles and Responsibilities

2.1. Regional Assessment Committee

As described in the Agreement to conduct the Regional Assessment, a Committee has been established by

the federal Minister of the Environment, with the mandate to carry out a Regional Assessment under the

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012). The Committee has all the powers and

obligations set out under section 77 of CEAA 2012.5

The Committee will use its knowledge and experience to conduct a Regional Assessment of the effects of

existing and anticipated exploratory drilling in the eastern portion of the Canada - Newfoundland and

Labrador Offshore Area. Pursuant to s.4.18 of the Agreement, the Committee may receive information from

Indigenous peoples on the nature and scope of any rights protected by section 35 of the Constitution Act,

1982, in the area of the Regional Assessment, as well as information on the potential adverse effects that

exploratory drilling may have on these rights.

Assisted by a Task Team and Technical Advisory Groups, the Committee will carry out the following

activities described in further detail in the Agreement, as well as consider the specific factors outlined in

Appendix A of the Agreement:

engage Indigenous groups and others that have knowledge relevant to the Regional Assessment or

whose interests and uses may be affected by exploratory drilling;

analyse all information received from Indigenous communities and other participants and identify

potential effects, mitigation measures, any information gaps and recommendations to address these

gaps, as appropriate;

document the results of the Regional Assessment in a Report including provision of advice to Ministers

on how the results of the Regional Assessment could be used to inform future decisions related to

offshore exploration drilling in the region; and

consider comments received from the public and Indigenous groups on the draft Report to federal and

provincial Ministers.

5 On August 28, 2019, the Impact Assessment Act (the Act) came into force, creating the new Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) which replaces the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.



2.2. Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (Agency) is responsible for ensuring an appropriately scaled and

flexible Crown consultation process is applied with respect to this Regional Assessment. The Agency is also

responsible for documenting and communicating the consultation process on behalf of the Government of

Canada (federal Crown) in anticipation that the Regional Assessment will be relied upon by decision makers

in future, to inform federal policies, regulations or project-based decision making in respect of exploratory

drilling projects proposed within the Study Area.

The Regional Assessment conducted by the Committee is the primary means by which the Crown intends to

gather information about the potential impacts of proposed offshore oil and gas exploratory drilling projects in

the Study Area on the exercise of existing or asserted Aboriginal and Treaty rights. As part of the

Committee’s Task Team, Agency staff will support the Committee in engaging Indigenous communities, and

will coordinate the participation of other federal government departments as required.

As Crown Consultation Lead on behalf of the Government of Canada, the Agency will also coordinate

research and analysis required to inform whether and to what extent, a legal duty to consult may apply to the

conduct of the Regional Assessment itself, or to potential future federal decisions that may rely on aspects of

the Committee’s findings and recommendations. As required, the Agency may compile a separate summary

report of Crown consultations to advise Ministers following the conclusion of the Regional Assessment. The

Agency would consult Indigenous groups on the content of that report as appropriate.

Agency staff will lead and coordinate any Crown consultation on behalf of the Government of Canada to

ensure continuity and consistency with existing Crown-Indigenous relationships. The Agency’s National

Programs and Crown Consultation Operations Divisions will offer strategic advice and support throughout

the Regional Assessment.

The Agency’s Crown Consultation Lead will be the principal Government of Canada official consulting with

Indigenous groups in respect of the Regional Assessment. The Agency tasks its Crown consultation

practitioners to maintain accurate records of each discussion with an Indigenous group. The Crown

Consultation Lead may use a variety of means to consult with groups such as written correspondence,

observation of Committee-led Indigenous engagement sessions, provision of opportunities to review and

comment on draft documents such as the Committee’s Report, and teleconferences or in-person meetings

as appropriate. To ensure an effective and efficient process for all participants, the Crown intends to rely on

Indigenous participation in the Regional Assessment as well as any information provided by Indigenous

groups to the Committee during the Regional Assessment.

In support of the Committee’s work, the Crown Consultation Lead will be authorized by the Agency to

discuss any matter raised by an Indigenous group during this Regional Assessment, including concerns with

proposed exploratory drilling projects and their potential effects, potential impacts on Aboriginal and Treaty

rights, potential accommodation measures for those impacts, and any other interests.



3. Details of the Approach

3.1. Evolution of the Approach

The Agency recognizes that each Indigenous group may have unique interests regarding the Regional

Assessment and any potential future decisions relating to proposed offshore exploratory drilling projects. The

Agency’s approach is to consult proactively and broadly with all potentially interested Indigenous groups in

the Atlantic Region and eastern Québec, in a spirit of collaboration and mutual understanding.

The Agency began considering its approach to Crown consultation in 2017 when it first contacted

Indigenous groups throughout Atlantic Canada to introduce the Regional Assessment, proposed as the first

Regional Assessment conducted under CEAA 2012.

The application of the Regional Assessment concept to the eastern portion of the Canada - Newfoundland

and Labrador Offshore Area offers a proactive planning tool that can be used to gain a better understanding

of the potential effects of exploratory drilling projects on the environment, and on the interests of Indigenous

peoples, the public and a other stakeholders in the region.

Given the high degree of interest expressed by Indigenous groups in the proposed Regional Assessment, in

September 2018 the Agency provided a draft version of the Agreement and formally requested comments

from Indigenous groups and the public. To support this review, the Agency provided funding to each

Indigenous group identified as potentially having an interest in the Regional Assessment. Comments

received from Indigenous groups on the draft Agreement were considered during the finalization of the

Agreement and posted on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry.

Following the establishment of the Committee in April 2019, the Agency shared a draft version of this

Consultation Approach document with the Committee to help inform its own program of Indigenous

engagement for the Regional Assessment. In May 2019, the Agency wrote to each Indigenous group

identified by the Crown for consultation during the Regional Assessment, and invited comments on the draft

Consultation Approach. The Agency also shared the draft Consultation Approach with the Government of

Newfoundland and Labrador in May 2019. No specific comments were received as of the end of 2019.

The Agency updated the Consultation Approach to reflect the evolution of legislation and anticipated

regulations in respect of Regional Assessments pursuant to the Impact Assessment Act, and shared the

updated Consultation Approach with Indigenous groups participating in the Regional Assessment.

3.2. Crown Consultation in Relation to the Committee’s Work

The Government of Canada has adopted a whole-of-government approach to Crown consultation. This

approach involves federal authorities working together, and with other jurisdictions where appropriate, to



ensure the legal duty to consult with Indigenous groups is fulfilled in advance of federal decisions which may

adversely impact the exercise of Aboriginal and Treaty rights recognized and affirmed under Section 35 of

the Constitution Act, 1982. The Crown also consults for good governance such as to inform sound policy-

making and the drafting of regulations, as well as for a variety of other relationship building and reconciliation

objectives.

On this basis, Crown consultation will rely on the information gathered through the Committee-led Regional

Assessment, with additional consultation activities as appropriate following the Regional Assessment Report.

Crown consultation in the context of this Regional Assessment represents a new form of Crown-Indigenous

engagement, with different approaches used than for consultations integrated into regulatory and project-

based environmental assessment processes.

For this Regional Assessment, the Crown will be guided by federal policies including the Updated Guidelines

for Federal Officials to Fulfill the Duty to Consult (2011) as well as the Principles respecting the Government

of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples (2017). These policies recognize that the honour of the

Crown must guide the conduct of the Crown in all of its dealings with Indigenous peoples.

The Crown anticipates that the Regional Assessment will provide an open and transparent venue for

Indigenous groups to bring concerns, comments and/or information forward to the Committee in a spirit of

shared interest and mutual respect and understanding. Indigenous groups are therefore encouraged to bring

information forward for the Committee’s consideration on the nature and scope of any applicable rights

protected under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, as well as information on the potential adverse

impacts that exploratory drilling may have on the exercise of Aboriginal and Treaty rights.

Indigenous groups are also invited to propose appropriate measures to avoid, eliminate or mitigate such

potential impacts on Aboriginal and Treaty rights. Information provided to the Committee will be used in

consideration of the impacts that exploratory drilling in the Study Area may have on any Indigenous group

and on the exercise of their rights. This information may also inform the Crown for consultation purposes,

currently or in the future.

3.3. Specific Consultation Features

Crown consultation takes place on a continuum, and this Regional Assessment represents an early planning

process, which may inform future Government decisions about offshore exploratory drilling projects in the

Study Area. Table 1 summarizes the three phases of consultation in respect of the Regional Assessment,

with specific features of each phase described below.

1. Consultation on the process:

potentially interested Indigenous groups are identified, and their input is sought on the draft

Regional Study Agreement and Terms of Reference for the Regional Assessment Committee

and Technical Advisory Group;

http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100014664/1100100014675

http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100014664/1100100014675

https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/principles.pdf

https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/principles.pdf



ongoing feedback and dialogue with the Crown may include sharing views on the Crown’s overall

approach to consultation for the Regional Assessment (i.e. previous draft of this document); and

financial support to participate in the process is provided through the Agency’s participant funding

program.

Note: this period commenced in 2017 when the Agency initially contacted Indigenous groups to

introduce the Regional Assessment and offer funding, and concluded in March 2019.

2. Indigenous community participation opportunities during

the Regional Assessment:

financial support provided through the Agency’s participant funding program;

Indigenous community representatives may participate in discussions of and receive and provide

information through the associated Technical Advisory Group;

engagement of Indigenous groups by the Committee may include participation in community

meetings, open houses or other forms of engagement to be defined through discussions between

the Committee and Indigenous groups; and

opportunity will be provided to review the draft Regional Assessment Report and submit

comments to the federal Crown (and share with the Committee for its consideration).

Note: this period commenced in April 2019 with the finalization of the Agreement and the

appointment of the Regional Assessment Committee, and this period will conclude once the

Committee’s Final Report is released.

3. Potential consultations following the Committee’s Final

Report:

After the Committee submits its Final Report to Ministers, Crown consultation will include notifying

Indigenous groups when the Report is available, as well as any potential follow-up to the Report.

The Agency will provide advance notification of consultation opportunities, and may develop a

separate summary report and/or briefing for Ministers based on the results of these consultations.

The intent of post-Committee Report consultations carried out by the Agency on behalf of the federal

Crown will not be to repeat or duplicate the work of the Committee. Post-Committee Report

consultation activities will focus on identifying any outstanding concerns, seeking input from

Indigenous groups on their experience participating in the Regional Assessment and engagement

process, and recommendations from Indigenous groups on how to apply the findings and

recommendations in the Report to proposed Ministerial Regulations.



It is anticipated that the federal Minister of the Environment will use the Report and the results of

consultation, to inform a proposed Ministerial Regulation. The Regulation would set out the terms

and conditions under which a future exploratory drilling project offshore Eastern Newfoundland could

be exempted from federal impact assessment.

Terms and conditions for exemption may include specific mitigation measures and follow-up

requirements for future projects in the Study Area. Once a Regulation is put in place, an offshore

exploratory drilling project that conforms with the terms and conditions specified by Regulation would

not require a federal impact assessment as it would not be considered a designated project under

the Impact Assessment Act.

3.4. Indigenous Groups to be Consulted during the Regional Assessment

The Agency has established a broad scope of consultation for the Regional Assessment based on a good

governance approach, and in recognition that Indigenous communities throughout the Atlantic Provinces and

eastern Québec exercise potential or established Aboriginal and Treaty rights that may be affected by

exploratory oil and gas drilling and associated activities offshore Eastern Newfoundland Labrador.

The following Indigenous groups have been identified as having a potential interest in this Regional

Assessment:

Nova Scotia

Kwilmu’kw Maw-Klusuaqn Negotiation Office (representing 11 Mi’kmaq First Nations of Nova Scotia:

Acadia First Nation, Annapolis Valley First Nation, Bear River First Nation, Eskasoni First Nation,

Glooscap First Nation, Membertou First Nation, Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, Pictou Landing First Nation,

Potlotek First Nation, Wagmatcook First Nation, We'koqma'q First Nation)

Millbrook First Nation

Sipekne'katik First Nation

New Brunswick

Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc. (representing 8 Mi'gmaq First Nations of New Brunswick: Fort Folly First

Nation, Eel Ground First Nation, Pabineau First Nation, Esgenoôpetitj First Nation, Buctouche First

Nation, Indian Island First Nation, Eel River Bar First Nation, Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation)

Elsipogtog First Nation

Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick (representing 6 Maliseet First Nations: Kingsclear First Nation,

Madawaska Maliseet First Nation, Oromocto First Nation, Saint Mary’s First Nation, Tobique First Nation

and Woodstock First Nation)

Peskotomuhkati Nation at Skutik (Passamaquoddy)



Prince Edward Island

Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island (representing Abegweit First Nation and Lennox Island

First Nation)

Newfoundland and Labrador

Innu Nation;

Nunatsiavut Government

NunatuKavut Community Council

Qalipu First Nation

Miawpukek First Nation

Québec

Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat (representing the Mi’gmaq of Québec: Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government,

La Nation Micmac de Gespeg, and Micmacs of Gesgapegiag)

Première Nation des Innus de Nutashkuan

Conseil des Innu de Ekuanitshit

The Indigenous groups identified for consultation may change as more information becomes available during

the Regional Assessment.

4. Preliminary Consultation Assessment

A preliminary consultation assessment was undertaken by the Agency based on publicly available

information, recent environmental assessments in the Atlantic Region, and in collaboration with other federal

departments and agencies. The purpose of this preliminary assessment is to understand, in an initial way,

the potential for adverse impacts of offshore exploratory drilling projects in the Study Area, in respect of each

Indigenous group’s asserted or established Aboriginal or Treaty rights. Crown consultation is not a process

through which the Government of Canada will recognize asserted Aboriginal rights.

The Agency’s preliminary assessment is a planning tool used to inform the initial scope and design of the

consultation process. Any new information made available to the Crown by Indigenous groups throughout

the Regional Assessment or other consultation processes may require modifications to the Crown

Note: The Qalipu and Miawpukek First Nations have been identified by the federal Crown as asserting Aboriginal rights, and as such will be included in the overall scope of consultation in respect of a good governance approach.



consultation approach. Any changes will be clearly documented and shared with the applicable Indigenous

groups.

Potential exploratory drilling projects in the Study Area would be located far offshore and not within any

known traditional territories. The environmental effects from such activities have been characterized in

several project-specific environmental assessments as being of low magnitude. Therefore, the likelihood of

adverse impacts on Indigenous communities as a result of these projects is considered for the preliminary

consultation assessment to be low. The Agency has therefore identified consultation at the lower end of the

Haida spectrum to be an appropriate starting point for the Regional Assessment.

5. Potential Accommodation Measures

Consideration of potential accommodation measures for Indigenous groups is an important element in

meeting the duty to consult when there exists the potential for impacts to occur on Aboriginal and/or Treaty

rights as a result of contemplated Crown conduct.

Should it be determined that the Regional Assessment could enable decisions that would result in potential

adverse impacts on Aboriginal or Treaty rights, the Government of Canada will seek to ensure that

recommended accommodation measures are appropriate to address these potential impacts.

Potential accommodation measures could include:

proposed regulatory terms and conditions specific to projects in the Study Area;

relevant federal laws, regulations, measures, policies or practices; and

industry-wide and/or region-specific commitments and/or project-based mitigation.

Throughout the Regional Assessment and Crown consultation process, Indigenous groups are encouraged

to propose potential mitigation and other accommodation measures that could address potential impacts on

Aboriginal and Treaty rights.



6. Conclusion

The Agency will implement this Approach on behalf of the federal Crown in a manner that fulfills the

principles and commitments outlined, along with the related Government of Canada objective of

strengthening and renewing its relationships with Indigenous peoples in Canada.

The Agency looks forward to supporting the Committee in its work, and carrying out a meaningful,

informative, respectful and collaborative dialogue with Indigenous groups as part of the planning, completion

and eventual use of this Regional Assessment.

Table 1: Crown Consultation with respect to the Regional Assessment

Key Process

Step

Timeline Activities

Regional Assessment and Consultation Planning

Fall 2017 – Spring 2019

Participant funding offers and grants

Review of the Draft Agreement to Conduct a Regional Assessment, and associated Terms of Reference for the Regional Assessment Committee and Technical Advisory Group

Development of and sharing of proposed Crown Consultation Approach

Final Agreement and Appointment of Regional Assessment Committee

Conduct of the Regional Assessment by Committee

Spring 2019 – Fall 2019

Agency shares draft Consultation Approach with Committee, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and invites comments from potentially affected Indigenous groups

Committee plans its program of Indigenous engagement, informed by Crown’s proposed approach to consultation

Indigenous groups invited to identify potential members to serve on the Committee’s Technical Advisory Group

Technical Advisory Committee membership confirmed



Key Process

Step

Timeline Activities

Committee-led Indigenous Engagement Sessions

Begins late Spring 2019

Committee engages with Indigenous groups to build relationships, and to invite input on the scope of issues as well as information and Indigenous knowledge to inform the Regional Assessment

In-person engagement in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Quebec

Review of Draft Regional Assessment Report

January – February 2020

Agency updates Consultation Approach and shares with Committee, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and potentially affected Indigenous groups

The Committee will release a draft Regional Assessment Report for comment

Consultation on the draft Report

Public Release of Final Regional Assessment Report

End of February 2020

On completion of the Regional Assessment, the Committee provides its Report to Ministers

The federal Minister of the Environment advises the public of the availability of the Report

Follow-up on Regional Assessment, including development of Ministerial Regulation

March 2020 Consultation to inform potential Government Response and/or development of Ministerial Regulation



Annex A – Study Area for the Regional Assessment

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